Printer for Checks: What You Need To Know
Printing checks is an excellent way to save costs, customize checks and ensure you have a constant supply of checks when you need them. Typically, the checks are printed using specialized printers that can be bought online or at brick and mortar stores.
Printer for Checks? What are they?
In simple terms, a Printer for Checks is designed to print out templates that can be used to pay for various products and services. The checks are similar to those used in banking institutions and can be exchanged over the counter for cash. Most times, Checks for Printer are used by people running small businesses or households that want to plan their finances more efficiently.
Important Features
Buying printer for checks
Deciding to buy a Check Printer is the first step towards getting a better grip on your finances. However, to succeed in better management of your funds by the printing of checks you need to buy the right printer. Some of the things to keep in mind when shopping for a printer include:
Software compatibility
Printing of checks is done using software that has been specially designed. Ensure that your printer is compatible with the software you intend to use when printing checks.
Ink type
The quality of a check is determined by the kind of ink used by the printer. If you are using a laser printer, ensure the toner has the appropriate number of cartridges for printing checks.
Security features
Typically, checks are sensitive documents that should be as secure as possible. When choosing a printer, ensure that it has a variety of safety features that can be incorporated into the cheque for maximum security.
Top-Rated Brands
The best Printer for checks
Getting the Best Printer for Checks can seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of research, it is possible to find the most suitable one for you. Fortunately, many brands are making it easier to get one within your budget by offering many of them for sale. Some of the printers you can consider when looking for quality equipment are listed below.
Renewable Toner LaserJet M15w
The LaserJet M15w by Renewable helps in boosting productivity by printing documents quickly and delivers exceptional quality. One of the advantages of the printer is that it is one of the smallest when compared to others in its category making it ideal for small offices. The downside is that due to its size, it might not be suitable for bulk printing. Also, it costs approximately 185 dollars on most of the well-known e-commerce sites.
Digital Check CheXpress CX30IJ
The CheXpress CX30IJ delivers high-quality checks similar to those given at the bank. It is a quiet machine when working and can print up to thirty checks within a minute. Users of the printer get to enjoy low-cost hardware that offers the best output in its category and is sold at about $313 or slightly higher. However, some of these printers are sold with no printer making it essential to confirm before clicking on the “purchase” button online.
MTI M2020w Laser Check Printer
The laser printer has one MTI MICR Toner Cartridge which prints out an average of three thousand checks for every three pages. Most times, the quality of the checks is professional regardless of the information printed on the documents. When compared to other printers, its page yield is exceptionally high making it worth the investment. However, the type of toner used can be restrictive for users that might want to use those from other brands. Additionally, it costs an average of $212 on most e-commerce sites.
LBP6230dw
The LBP6230dw by Renewable is a great addition to any office environment. It comes with a compatible toner cartridge that can print up to six thousand three hundred checks at one go. Its average price is $195 or just slightly above depending on the store that is selling it to you. One advantage is that it is designed to save space and can fit on most desktops, but its yield when printing may vary depending on the number of checks printed.
Canon ImageCLASS LBP6030W
The Canon laser printer offers high-quality output in terms of speed and paper handling. It can use Wi-Fi for printing making it a portable machine for personal or commercial use. The printer is fast and can easily fit on a small desk, but it also has a high running cost that should be considered before making a purchase. It is sold at a reasonable cost of $69.99 at Amazon and similar costs on other e-commerce sites.
ImageCLASS LBP6030W MICR
The LBP6030W is a monochrome laser by Canon that offers a wide variety of features to users looking for a high-quality printer. It can print using a Wi-Fi connection and is small enough to fit on most office desks. The downside of the machine is that it has no duplexer, high running costs and its paper capacity is low. Its cost is approximately $159 on most e-commerce sites that have it in stock.
Samsung Xpress Monochrome M2835dw
The M2835dw by Samsung is an excellent laser printer for small businesses or personal use. The printer is sold online for at $99 and offers many features that assist users that print checks daily. Although it is more expensive when compared to its predecessor, its excellent paper handling and compact designs makes it worth the purchase.
Security features in Printer for Checks
When using a printer to print your checks, it is essential to ensure that they have the necessary security features. These features may vary from one printer to another, but the most common ones are listed below.
Presence of a watermark
A watermark that has your logo or unique lettering is one of the crucial security features on a check. The check is printed with a watermark that does not appear when they are scanned or duplicated using a photocopy machine.
Use of thermochromatic ink
The ink has a unique formula that makes it hard for it to disappear when exposed to any heat. Its presence also communicates its authenticity when handled by bank staff.
Unique numbering
Print checks that have numbers that bleed onto the back making them hard to alter is a standard security feature. Most times the printer generates a specific code for each cheque delivered.
Why are checks so expensive and why should you print your own?
Buying checks is an expensive undertaking that most business owners or individuals would rather avoid. Some of the advantages of using a Printer for printing checks include:
- It is an efficient way of planning finances and cuts out the process of requesting for checks from financial institutions on a regular basis.
- It saves money in the long run as a business or household only prints check when they are needed and at an agreed amount.
- It ensures the security of the financial information of a company or household as everything is handled in-house.
The process of printing checks
Printing checks with dedicated printers require a step by step process that must be followed if the final output is to be satisfactory. Some of the major steps involved in the printing of checks are highlighted below.
- Step 1 - Set up your printer as prescribed in the manual and ensure all the essential software has been installed. The software should be able to format the checks in the best format possible.
- Step 2 – Type in all the necessary details needed to make the check valid and acceptable at a financial institution. These details include personal information, check number, bank fractional number, date account number, routing number and lines for the payee, dollar amount, memo and signature.
- Step 3 - Ensure that you have stock paper that has been specially designed for check printing. The paper should be the right size for the type of checks that are to be printed.
- Step 4 – Review the check and ensure everything is at the right place, then print it out from your dedicated printer.
To sum it up
Printing checks is an activity that should be embraced by individuals and businesses that want to control their finances better. The catch is to buy a good printer that can deliver as expected so that you can enjoy all the benefits offered by the machine.
